Antidepressant Benefits
Do antidepressants help? The answer to the question posed is "on an individual basis". For me personally, the answer is no. I have tried two mainstream antidepressants and haven't had any lasting results with either. I have been "depressed" for as long as I can remember. The trauma I experienced as a young girl and teen follows me everywhere, without escape. I had never been diagnosed with depression until I was eighteen. That was when the new doctor I found noticed the signs for me. Shortly after the diagnosis, I became pregnant and therefore was not issued any medications. After I gave birth to my daughter, the depression seemed to get ten thousand times worse. It was then that the battle of finding an antidepressant to help me began. The
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first pill I was prescribed was Wellbutrin, or Bupropion as it is called in generic form. The doctor explained that he prescribed this to also help me quit smoking. It was supposed to be a two for one deal. I started taking it and didn't notice much of a difference over the next three months. It didn't affect my smoking habits, it didn't change the sadness I felt, and it sure didn't help me sleep. In fact, it started to give me headaches that lasted for days. When I went back to the doctor for the dosage adjustment, he decided to try another pill. This time I was given Effexor, or Venlafaxine as it is called in generic form. This seemed to be a better option for me according to the doctor. After I went home and began taking the pills, it took about three months for me to notice any sort of change. The change was very subtle though. Effexor helped me relax and allowed me to sleep at night. It also helped me fight the sad feeling for a few days.Always after a few happy days passed, I was back feeling sad. I took Effexor for almost a year before stopping. When I stopped, I went through a withdrawal of sorts. I was back to not sleeping and my moods were very unstable. It is almost three years later and I feel the same now as I did on the Effexor. I have learned to cope with the depression and not depend on pills to help "fix" my moods. Each individual will have different reactions to the medications they are prescribed for depression. For me, the pills just didn't do what I needed them to do.
Depression is a rather gloomy topic, but because so many people suffer from its grip, I believe it is well worth studying more closely. I would like to approach the topic from a Christian perspective. I know a number of Christian believers who think it is not possible for a true Christian to be depressed and if he is, then he has sin in his life. I, however, am not of that school. I believe that we as human beings are all equally prone to the emotional highs and lows of life. I do believe there are some personality types that are more likely to be depressed than others. The four main personality types are Sanguine, Melancholy, Choleric, and Phlegmatic. The Melancholy personality type is one that simmers on the back burner of depression most of the time. The Sanguine personality type is one that is as far removed from depression as one can get, at least most of the time. No matter what basic personality we might have, we are all subject to bouts of depression from time to time and that includes those who are Christian as well. Being a Christian does not change our basic personality. The Bible speaks of a number of people who suffered from depression. The Psalmist, himself, David, said, "Why art thou cast down, oh my soul?" (Psalm 42:5) And then there was Elijah, "O Lord, take away my life." (I Kings 19:4) and what about Jonah, "It is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:3) All of these statements from Biblical heroes are classic examples of depression. David wrote some of the most magnificent songs and poems ever known, yet, he went a few rounds with depression. Does that make him any less spiritual? No, definitely not. It just makes him more human. I can relate to someone like that. He becomes flesh and blood instead of some super-spiritual being living on a level that I could never attain. There are some Christians who are truly depressed, but try to hide it or deny its existence. By so doing, they are only compounding the weight of the problem. If we are quick to acknowledge that we are depressed, we have already taken the first step out of the darkness. There is also a likelihood that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain and if this is diagnosed, it can be properly treated with medication. There are many in the Christian community who think it is a sign of weakness to depend upon medication, but when we have imbalances within our own brain chemistry, we need the medication. No one should be ashamed of having the need of medication for this kind of health issue. In his book, "Healing For Damaged Emotions, the late David A. Seamands lists three primary reactions that lead to depression. They are "indecision, anger, and a sense of unfairness or injustice". Indecision, according to Seamands, is a built-in depressor if it is your standard way of coping with life. It can set you up for feelings of powerlessness and a sense of being trapped. "You could be using the same energy, not to postpone the decision, but to make it and carry it out." Anger has long been known to be closely linked with depression. Seamands states, "If you have a consistently serious problem with depression, you have not resolved some area of anger in your life." " . . . depression follows unresolved, repressed or improperly expressed anger." Injustice is another strong reaction to life that can lead us into depression. Seamands states, "Perfectionists have a very disproportionate sense of justice and injustice. They feel a deep need to right the wrongs of the world, to correct things . . ." He further states that that feeling "exists in every reformer, in every preacher, every missionary and to some degree, it should exist in every Christian." This keen sense of right and wrong when tempered by the Holy Spirit, can be a very useful thing in this world. However, most of the time, we find the root of this strong sense of justice and injustice is found lurking somewhere within our childhood experiences. Usually, we find that we are in need of forgiving someone, and that is usually a close family member. So, we understand that no one is exempt from depression. By admitting we are depressed and getting to the root of the problem, most depression can be overcome without too much difficulty. Rooting out the cause of our depression might take some time and some prayer, but as Christians, we are accustomed to taking such matters before our Father. He understands our feelings and is more than able to show us the way out of our depression, if only we are willing to admit that we are depressed.
Antidepressant medications were prescribed to me during my high school years to help with my depression and social anxiety disorder.
I was told by my parents, who could see that I was very unhappy, that I had to go on some sort of antidepressant recommended by my psychologist. At first I was bitter about being forced to take medication, but I had no choice and decided to hope for the best. Longing for a remedy to my gloomy disposition and a cure for my adolescent emotions I started taking antidepressant medications with the support of my family. The first antidepressant prescribed was Zoloft, now generically Sertraline, an SSRI that is said to act like some older tricyclic antidepressants, but with less pronounced side effects. The drug usually takes about two weeks to become effective. After the initial waiting period was up I still felt no positive side effects. My depression and anxiety became worse and I was experiencing muscle ticks and Akathisia, which is a feeling of not being able to rest or a constant desire to jump out of your skin. I had felt as if I had hit rock bottom and was admitted into an inpatient program. While in inpatient care I was switched to the well known antidepressant Prozac, or Fluoxetine, which is also an SSRI. I abruptly stopped taking Zoloft in order to begin taking Prozac; I experienced no withdrawal symptoms. After being on Prozac for several months it appeared to work better than Zoloft on the sole reason that I was experiencing no longer experiencing Akathisia or tremors. I did gain about 15 pounds during the first six months, but I also lost that weight after switching schools the following year. I continued to take Prozac until I graduated high school. To this day I am not convinced the overcoming of my depression and anxiety had anything to do with the antidepressant medication Prozac. Shortly after I graduated and moved out of my parent's house, I discontinued my medication. I abruptly ended my 2 ½ year daily dose of Prozac
to find no withdrawal symptoms, no depression, and no anxiety on being in the world on my own. Maybe I had situational depression, which cannot be helped by medication, or maybe my brain chemistry balanced as I matured, or maybe the years of antidepressants contributed to my ability to function as a healthy minded adult.
first pill I was prescribed was Wellbutrin, or Bupropion as it is called in generic form. The doctor explained that he prescribed this to also help me quit smoking. It was supposed to be a two for one deal. I started taking it and didn't notice much of a difference over the next three months. It didn't affect my smoking habits, it didn't change the sadness I felt, and it sure didn't help me sleep. In fact, it started to give me headaches that lasted for days. When I went back to the doctor for the dosage adjustment, he decided to try another pill. This time I was given Effexor, or Venlafaxine as it is called in generic form. This seemed to be a better option for me according to the doctor. After I went home and began taking the pills, it took about three months for me to notice any sort of change. The change was very subtle though. Effexor helped me relax and allowed me to sleep at night. It also helped me fight the sad feeling for a few days.Always after a few happy days passed, I was back feeling sad. I took Effexor for almost a year before stopping. When I stopped, I went through a withdrawal of sorts. I was back to not sleeping and my moods were very unstable. It is almost three years later and I feel the same now as I did on the Effexor. I have learned to cope with the depression and not depend on pills to help "fix" my moods. Each individual will have different reactions to the medications they are prescribed for depression. For me, the pills just didn't do what I needed them to do.
Depression is a rather gloomy topic, but because so many people suffer from its grip, I believe it is well worth studying more closely. I would like to approach the topic from a Christian perspective. I know a number of Christian believers who think it is not possible for a true Christian to be depressed and if he is, then he has sin in his life. I, however, am not of that school. I believe that we as human beings are all equally prone to the emotional highs and lows of life. I do believe there are some personality types that are more likely to be depressed than others. The four main personality types are Sanguine, Melancholy, Choleric, and Phlegmatic. The Melancholy personality type is one that simmers on the back burner of depression most of the time. The Sanguine personality type is one that is as far removed from depression as one can get, at least most of the time. No matter what basic personality we might have, we are all subject to bouts of depression from time to time and that includes those who are Christian as well. Being a Christian does not change our basic personality. The Bible speaks of a number of people who suffered from depression. The Psalmist, himself, David, said, "Why art thou cast down, oh my soul?" (Psalm 42:5) And then there was Elijah, "O Lord, take away my life." (I Kings 19:4) and what about Jonah, "It is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:3) All of these statements from Biblical heroes are classic examples of depression. David wrote some of the most magnificent songs and poems ever known, yet, he went a few rounds with depression. Does that make him any less spiritual? No, definitely not. It just makes him more human. I can relate to someone like that. He becomes flesh and blood instead of some super-spiritual being living on a level that I could never attain. There are some Christians who are truly depressed, but try to hide it or deny its existence. By so doing, they are only compounding the weight of the problem. If we are quick to acknowledge that we are depressed, we have already taken the first step out of the darkness. There is also a likelihood that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain and if this is diagnosed, it can be properly treated with medication. There are many in the Christian community who think it is a sign of weakness to depend upon medication, but when we have imbalances within our own brain chemistry, we need the medication. No one should be ashamed of having the need of medication for this kind of health issue. In his book, "Healing For Damaged Emotions, the late David A. Seamands lists three primary reactions that lead to depression. They are "indecision, anger, and a sense of unfairness or injustice". Indecision, according to Seamands, is a built-in depressor if it is your standard way of coping with life. It can set you up for feelings of powerlessness and a sense of being trapped. "You could be using the same energy, not to postpone the decision, but to make it and carry it out." Anger has long been known to be closely linked with depression. Seamands states, "If you have a consistently serious problem with depression, you have not resolved some area of anger in your life." " . . . depression follows unresolved, repressed or improperly expressed anger." Injustice is another strong reaction to life that can lead us into depression. Seamands states, "Perfectionists have a very disproportionate sense of justice and injustice. They feel a deep need to right the wrongs of the world, to correct things . . ." He further states that that feeling "exists in every reformer, in every preacher, every missionary and to some degree, it should exist in every Christian." This keen sense of right and wrong when tempered by the Holy Spirit, can be a very useful thing in this world. However, most of the time, we find the root of this strong sense of justice and injustice is found lurking somewhere within our childhood experiences. Usually, we find that we are in need of forgiving someone, and that is usually a close family member. So, we understand that no one is exempt from depression. By admitting we are depressed and getting to the root of the problem, most depression can be overcome without too much difficulty. Rooting out the cause of our depression might take some time and some prayer, but as Christians, we are accustomed to taking such matters before our Father. He understands our feelings and is more than able to show us the way out of our depression, if only we are willing to admit that we are depressed.
Antidepressant medications were prescribed to me during my high school years to help with my depression and social anxiety disorder.
I was told by my parents, who could see that I was very unhappy, that I had to go on some sort of antidepressant recommended by my psychologist. At first I was bitter about being forced to take medication, but I had no choice and decided to hope for the best. Longing for a remedy to my gloomy disposition and a cure for my adolescent emotions I started taking antidepressant medications with the support of my family. The first antidepressant prescribed was Zoloft, now generically Sertraline, an SSRI that is said to act like some older tricyclic antidepressants, but with less pronounced side effects. The drug usually takes about two weeks to become effective. After the initial waiting period was up I still felt no positive side effects. My depression and anxiety became worse and I was experiencing muscle ticks and Akathisia, which is a feeling of not being able to rest or a constant desire to jump out of your skin. I had felt as if I had hit rock bottom and was admitted into an inpatient program. While in inpatient care I was switched to the well known antidepressant Prozac, or Fluoxetine, which is also an SSRI. I abruptly stopped taking Zoloft in order to begin taking Prozac; I experienced no withdrawal symptoms. After being on Prozac for several months it appeared to work better than Zoloft on the sole reason that I was experiencing no longer experiencing Akathisia or tremors. I did gain about 15 pounds during the first six months, but I also lost that weight after switching schools the following year. I continued to take Prozac until I graduated high school. To this day I am not convinced the overcoming of my depression and anxiety had anything to do with the antidepressant medication Prozac. Shortly after I graduated and moved out of my parent's house, I discontinued my medication. I abruptly ended my 2 ½ year daily dose of Prozac
to find no withdrawal symptoms, no depression, and no anxiety on being in the world on my own. Maybe I had situational depression, which cannot be helped by medication, or maybe my brain chemistry balanced as I matured, or maybe the years of antidepressants contributed to my ability to function as a healthy minded adult.